Youth Worker – Alcohol And Other Drug (Aod) And Mental Health

The Mental Health team at Woden Community Service is seeking for a qualified and committed Youth Worker to be part of our Primary Health for Young People Service.

Woden Community Service (WCS) is a for-purpose organisation that has been providing community-based services for over 50 years. Our vision of ‘A caring community w everyone belongs’ is achieved through our values of Inclusion, Compassion, Hope, Responsiveness, Integrity and Social Justice.

We deliver services across the ACT covering children, families, young people and seniors including housing and mental health services.

Supporting young people aged 12-25, specifically those relating to mental health challenges and co-occurring alcohol and other drug use (AOD), the Youth Worker will work alongside young people to support their recovery goals, help connect them to long-term services and engage young people in social and community supports within Canberra. The Youth Worker will work in a team of clinical and outreach workers supporting young people across Canberra.

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively engage in the lives of young people who are vulnerable, addressing those issues that place them at risk, specifically those relating to mental health challenges and co-occurring AOD concerns.
• Develop supportive relationships with young people through a range of different avenues including outreach, events, connecting with community and linkages to mainstream services such as medical and education.
• Strengthen young people’s connections through utilising Directions Health ACT, WCS, Meridian and the Junction programs for longer term supports.
• Work as part of a team, including a mental health clinician, peer worker, and nurse to provide primary health support to young people 12-25 years.
• Provide flexible and responsive case work support based on the needs of young people, advocacy, role modelling, assistance with understanding and completing documentation and any other activities which will assist young people towards developing productive life skills and making positive choices.
• Encourage young people to be involved in all aspects of their support including planning, organising, promoting and achieving their goals.
• Develop and maintain service and community networks with services across the Child, Youth and Family Service System.

Our Offer:

• Fixed term (up to 30 June 2029) full time appointment (38 hours/week).
• Salary of SCS5 $99,643.17 – $104,152.19 plus 11.5% Superannuation, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Salary packaging (up to $15,899 per year) plus meal and entertainment cards.
• Paid shutdown leave on standard working days between Christmas and New Year.
• 15 days paid personal leave per annum (pro rata) for full & part-time employees.
• 12 weeks paid parental leave (after 12 months service).
• National EAP Service.
• Work in a supportive, dedicated team.
• Professional development and extensive training provided.
• Location: BOWES Place, Phillip and Outreach in the Community.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Certificate IV in mental health, Alcohol and Drug Work or a Diploma of Community Services.
• At least two years’ experience working with young people experiencing mental illness and/or alcohol and other drug issues.
• Extensive skills, knowledge of and experience in planning events and activities aimed at young people.
• Extensive skills, knowledge and experience in working with young people through case management, case work, outreach, open access activities and event planning.
• Demonstrated high level of interpersonal skills and highly developed written and oral communication skills, including computer skills and experience in writing reports, client records and use of a database.
• Demonstrated understanding of professional boundaries, privacy and confidentiality.
• Current Drivers Licence.
• Current First Aid certificate.

A full is available outlining the knowledge, skills and experience.

To be eligible for employment, you must have an active Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Card, working rights in Australia, and be willing to undertake background checks required for the position, including a National Police Check.

To apply, please submit your current resume and a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements of this role via Seek, by clicking on Apply Now button.

For further information, please contact Lorinda Slatter at lorinda.slatter@wcs.org.au

Closing Date: COB 12 January 2025

Applications may close early if a suitable candidate is found prior this date.

For more information about WCS and services that we provide, including Youth & Family, Community Development, Housing and Homelessness, Mental Health, Social Enterprise and Aged Care, please visit our website at www.wcs.org.au

WCS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all abilities and life experiences. We also encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.